Micheal Stephen Allen of Helena, MT passed away unexpectedly Monday April 5, 2021 at the St. Peters Hospital, all of his family were with him. Mike was 75 years old.
Mike was born April 15, 1945 in Deer Lodge, MT. Mike attend Deer Lodge High School and graduated in 1963.
Mike enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1964. Mike served his time in Puerto Rico as radio operator on the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. He was honorably discharged in 1966.
After discharge from the Navy, Mike began his life of working, and by working we mean working. He had the strongest work ethic of anyone we knew.
He was working at the Veteran’s Hospital in Fort Harrison, MT and met Carla Allen, his wife of 50 years. They had an exciting life together and moved to Missoula and Mike attended the University of Montana. It was while they were in Missoula, their first child Michelle was born, on St. Patrick’s Day at the St. Patrick’s Hospital on March 17, 1971.
Mike’s true passion was cooking. So he picked up his family and moved them to Kent, Washington to attend the Seattle Culinary Academy Central College. While in Washington their middle son Edward Ray Allen was born May 4, 1976. Mike cooked in Italian and French restaurants. Even learning Chinese and Japanese cooking. Mike and Carla missed Montana life and returned back home to Helena, Montana.
Upon return Mike started his cooking career and ended up with a third child. Anthony James Allen was born on October 3, 1980. He cooked in varies places and both him and his wife worked at the Cooney Convalescent Home him as the head cook and Carla as a housekeeper. Mike than again uprooted his family and moved to King Cove, Alaska. There he started his own cafe with his family by his side. Then Mike moved the family back to Helena for the last time. Mike on the other hand loved cooking so much he got himself a head cook job on a halibut fishing boat. He cooked for 250 people traveling from Alaska to Japan and back. Mike loved the sea and he did that for 16 years and landed back in Helena. Mike never stopped cooking though. Family dinner every night. Family functions. Mike was the best baker in town. He could bake anything from scratch. Safe to say his Wife Carla got spoiled.
Mike’s real passion was his wife and children. So he found his second career he became a painter. Mike really painted this whole town of Helena and surrounding area. He left his mark all over town. Mike’s meaning in life and passion was caring and taking care of his family in a way that exceeded the meaning of love. There was nothing he wouldn’t do day or night for them. Even up to his unexpected passing. Installing the importance of hard work into his children. Mike work ethic was to be admired. Even at 75 yrs old Mike worked like he was still in his 20’s. Never taking a day off. Passing on his knowledge of drywalling, taping, mudding and painting to his children. In his last two years of his life he gave a job to his neighbor Colter Feight 15 yrs old teaching Colter how to paint. Mike always said Colter is really good worker. Mike loved all his friends helping the with anything they needed. Especially his friend Roger who he loved very much. Mike had a rough exterior but actually had the most caring softest heart for the people he loved in his life.
Mike will surely be missed by many but his Wife and Children and Sister Chi Chi who he talked to everyday will truly miss him everyday of their lives. Chi-Chi will surely miss those conversations. Mike loved her dearly. They all will never be able to replace the care taker he was. Words can’t explain what he meant to each of them individually. Best Husband, Father and Brother ever. We love You! Daddy!
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, his bothers David. Mike is survived by his Wife Carla Allen and his children Michelle Allen, Edward Allen, Anthony Allen, brother Bill and Sister Darlene (Chi Chi) Perez of Medford, Oregon. Grandchildren Parker and Emma. He is also survived by Sisters In-law Marla Wolstein of Helena, Roxanne Wolstein of Davenport, Iowa, Abby Mcknire of Helena and Lori Forbes, Brother-in-law David Wolstein of Helena and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service celebrating Mike’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 16th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Burial with military honors will follow the service at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. A reception will follow the burial at the Little Red School House.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday April 16, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the Memorial Service
Friday April 16, 2021
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroe Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59635
Reception
Following the Burial
Friday April 16, 2021
Little Red School House
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday April 16, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the Memorial Service
Friday April 16, 2021
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroe Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59635
Reception
Following the Burial
Friday April 16, 2021
Little Red School House
Helena, Montana 59602
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Jennifer s Balcerzak says
Carla Allen I am so sorry for your loss. I wish there was something I could do for you.
Brian and Candace Ahl says
We were sadden to hear of Michael’s passing. We are so sorry for your loss and pray for comfort for all. He worked for us (Ahl Painting) in the early 2000’s.
Kathleen Broussard says
Marla and family
We are so very sorry about Mike. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Keith, Kathleen, and Kory Broussard
Tim Clavin says
Carla and family,
Rudy Borg and myself extend you our deep condolences. We had many great experiences in the past which we fondly remember. Mike was a wonderful man.
Kari & Jim Corell says
Eddie – Sending our love and thinking of you and your family during this difficult. Let your love and memories of your Dad give you strength in the coming weeks.
Cindy Green says
Carla and family:
I am so very sorry about Mike’s passing! He was a great person and will be missed by many! If there is anything you need or anything I can do to help please let me know!!
Tom Hirst says
Carla, Michelle,Edddie, and Anthony,
I am so very sorry to hear of Mikes passing. He truly was a great father, husband and a good provider to each of you. Mike and I being cousins spent a lot of time together as children through our teenage years. What I remember most about Mike was how easy it was for him to break out in laughter, and be excited about what ever it was that we were involved in. From cardboard forts to beebee gun fights along the Clark Fork river banks. In our late teenage years Mike and I shared a bedroom and had lots of great conversations of things teenaged boys talk about including baskeball. Mickel was an awesome ball player for his height, being on the short side, but made up for it as a great shooter and his quickness. Spending time with him was always easy with lots of laughter and a simple uncomplicated pleasure. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you all along with my prayers!!
Anthony Allen says
Thank you all for the nice comments. It’s a very trying time for us. My father literally did everything for us kids and mom. I won’t know how to be the replacement for my mom but I’m going to try to be like Dad. I’m going to move out to their home and be the care taker of her. While focusing on continuing my growth as a boiler operator at Cooney Healthcare where my wonderful parents did both work at in the 80’s when I was 3 and 4. I’ll need help I know. Trying to replace my Father will never be achieved. But all I’ll need is someone to pop in and out once an awhile on mom. I work 6 to 2. But I’m sure I’ll get it all figured out. My work is being incredibly supportive. I’m very thankful for them. Love you! Dad! Miss you 4ever!
Roger Jetmore says
Carla, michelle, eddie and a.j, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved husband and father. You really get to know someone working side by side the way we did we work together a lot and we got done working at our day jobs we’d go work some more on our side jobs. He was always Fair and he treated me with respect the whole time I knew him. The man had a huge heart and he helped me more than once he would help me when no one else would he never lost hope and he never gave up. I’m going to miss him more than words can express his passing was a shock and I’m more than just a little beside myself about it and my heart goes out to you all you were lucky to have him as I was. He was more than a friend he was a brother to me his friendship and kindness will stay with me to the bitter end. My life is better because he was in it. I loved him and I’m going to miss him
Jamie Medicine Top says
Carla, Anthony and Family I’m so sorry for the loss of your Wonderful Husband and Father!!!! If you need anything please let me know !!!! You are in my Prayers Sincerely Jamie Medicine Top
Florence H Shaw says
Carla and Family
So very sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. Sending thoughts and prayers.
Flossie
Lynn Watts says
I work with Anthony at Cooney. I know what its like Anthony to lose a dad unexpectedly I too experienced that 6 years ago. It was a very difficult time for me & my family. My thoughts are with you & your family at this very sad time.
Butch,Shelley(Novak) Parmer says
Carla, Marla and family,
Sorry to hear about Mike’s passing.You are in our thoughts and prayers. We are sending hugs to all of the Allen and Wolstein families.